Saturday, 28 April 2007

As you may have noticed, I've implemented some changes on this blog. If you haven't noticed, are your eyes open? Anyway, as you can see, there are a few changes, mostly for the good since I was tired of having a plain ol' blog. I've changed the template, the colour scheme, the banner up top, and the layout. Honestly, I love the banner. It feels a little more "personal" now, and that's exactly what this blog is: a personal view of hockey. However, the rest of the changes were made just for aesthetics. As always, it's all about hockey, and let's get to that.

Firstly, kudos to the Detroit Red Wings and their stirring come-from-behind victory against the San Jose Sharks today. The Red Wings came out flat against a very physical Sharks team for the second game in a row, and the Sharks jumped out to an early 2-0 lead again. The Red Wings fought back, though, and equalled the series with a 3-2 victory. This series looks like it will be one of who capitalizes on the other's mistakes the most. I look forward to Game Three!

Next, if Henrik Lundqvist described the New York Rangers' last game against the Barney Rubble Hairpieces as "almost perfect", it will take four games of perfection to beat the Hairpieces. The Hairpieces rallied to win 3-2 after New York had jumped out to a 2-1 lead late in the second period. It didn't stand as the final score as Chris Drury and Thomas Vanek scored in the third period to give the Hairpieces a 2-0 lead in the series. New York needs to be more physical. If they don't, they'll be swept just like Atlanta was in the first round by those same Rangers.

The Vancouver Canucks, missing both Kevin Bieksa and Sami Salo due to injury, rallied in overtime to defeat the Anaheim Ducks 2-1. Jeff Cowan, who is seeking a long-term endorsement contract from Victoria's Secret, scored the OT winner in double-overtime, adding to his somewhat legendary career in Vancouver. Teemu Selanne had a very strong game for Anaheim, but Roberto Luongo kept his team in the game until they won. While it appears that Luongo's parents were both brick layers, Luongo's wall has been good enough to keep his team going. That, while it seems simple in my writing, has been nothing short of awe-inspiring. If the Canucks make it to the Stanley Cup Finals, he already has a very strong case to follow in the steps of current Anaheim Duck, Jean-Sebastien Giguere, to win the Conn Smythe Trophy regardless of whether Vancouver wins or loses.

The Ottawa Senators and New Jersey Devils play Game Two of their series tonight, and if the Devils want to keep playing they have to stop turning the puck over. Yes, they battled back in Game One, but getting behind 4-0 in the first period is not the way you win playoff games, and three of the four goals were a direct result of defensive zone turnovers. I expect Ottawa to continue to forecheck like there's no tomorrow. New Jersey has to be ready, or they'll visit Scotiabank Place down 2-0.

The IIHF Men's World Championships opened yesterday. USA defeated Austria by a score of 6-2. Erik Cole of the Carolina Hurricanes and Lee Stempniak of the St. Louis Blues had a goal and an assist each in the win. Finland shutout the Ukraine by a score of 5-0. Pekka Saravo of Lulea HF in the Swedish Elite League had a goal and an assist in the win while Fredrik Norrena of the Columbus Blue Jackets earned the shutout. The Czech Republic defeated Belarus by a score of 8-2. Tomas Plekanec of the Montreal Canadiens has two goals and an assist in the win. Russia pounded Denmark 9-1. Aleksey Morozov of Ak Bars Kazan in the Russian Superleague had a goal and two assists in the victory. Sweden scored seven straight goals to defeat Italy 7-1. Johan Davidsson of HV 71 Jonkoping in the Swedish Elite League and Fredrik Emwall of Linkopings HC in Swedish Elite League had two goals apiece for Sweden in their victory. Canada squeaked by Germany 3-2 in their opening game. Jamal Mayers of the St. Louis Blues scored two goals including the game-winner. Switzerland beat Latvia 2-1 in their first games. Sandy Jeannin of HC Lugano in the Swiss National League and Adrian Wichser of ZSC Zurich Lions in the Swiss National League both had a goal and an assist for the Swiss. In the final opening game, Slovakia shutout Norway by a score of 3-0. Jaroslav Halak of the Montreal Canadiens picked up the shutout.

All in all, no upsets in the opening games. Canada has to start being more disciplined if they want to go far in this tournament. Canada picked up 41 PIMs in the game against Germany. If they do that against the Russians, Swedes or Americans, they will not win.

Lots of hockey action going on right now across the world! Keep you eyes glued to the sports highlight shows because things are heating up all over the place! Until next time, keep your stick on the ice!

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